Australia is truly a magnificent country, with breathtaking natural landscapes, gorgeous beaches, thriving and bustling cities, and a laid-back, relaxed culture. If you like to explore the eye-catching places, what to see, where to go. Where to stay if you are planning to go travel to Australia you have come to the right place. I will educate you.
Top places and things to see
Before you start planning your tour to Australia, check my short reels of the breathtaking things to see in the country. There is a lot to see and do in the country, so you won’t want to miss out on the top-rated sights.
As you start to plan your travel, you will want to familiarize yourself with the most popular and large cities in the country.
Before you start planning your travel, make sure that you check out my gallery of the top natural scenes and places in the country for some inspiration. There is a lot to see in the country, so you don’t miss out on the top sights.
Language Spoken
The country is so diverse, there are many different languages spoken by the people who live there. While the most spoken language in Australia is English, there are more than 167 actively spoken Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages. Language will vary depending on which state of Australia you are visiting.
If you are fluent in English, you should have no issues with getting around the country.
Currency
The currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar (AUD or AU$). One US dollar equals 1.47 AUD. Common denomination of the Australian Dollar comes in 5$,10$,20$,50$, and 100$ bank notes 1$ and 2$ dollars come in coins.
Immunization Requirement
Currently, you do not need to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination to travel to Australia. However, you should always check the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website for updated vaccination requirements before traveling to Australia.
As of now, masks are no longer compulsory on international flights. However, travelers are encouraged to continue wearing masks to reduce their risk of contracting and spreading COVID-19 and other seasonal infections.
Mode of travel within Australia
The keen part of touring Australia will be deciding on how you will get around within Australia.
- Air Visit
- Public Transportation
- Driving
You need to schedule your visit according to domestic flights of Australia but through this mood of traveling, you missed beautiful scenes.
If you use public transportation, you also miss the places where public transportation service is not available.
If you are planning on renting a car while visiting Australia, I have included some key information on driving in Australia that you will want to review below.
- The minimum driving age in Australia varies by the state or territory that you are visiting but will be either 17 or 18 years of age.
- Vehicles in Australia have the steering wheel on the right side of the car and cars drive on the left side of the road.
- You can drive in Australia using your foreign driver’s license for up to three months, as long as the license is in English. If your driver’s license doesn’t have a photo on it, you should carry your passport with you when you drive. If your driver’s license is not in English, you will need to obtain an International Driving Permit (IDP), which you will want to obtain before you leave.
- Wearing a seatbelt is mandatory in Australia and there are special rules about children’s car seats that you will need to obey. Also, if you plan to ride a motorcycle, motorbike, scooter, moped, e-bike, or bicycle, you must wear a helmet according to the law.
- It is against the law to use a mobile phone while driving, even if you are stopped at a traffic light or are in standing traffic. If you use your phone for navigation, it must be used hands-free.
- The blood alcohol limit for operating any motorized vehicle in Australia is 0.05. Police often conduct random breath and drug tests on roadsides across the country and prosecute offenses. To be on the safe side, I would avoid driving completely if you have consumed any alcohol.
- Australia uses the metric system, so all speed limits are in kilometers per hour (kph) and not miles per hour (mph). In urban areas, the speed limit is typically 50 kph unless otherwise posted. Most other roads have a maximum speed limit of 100 kph, although there are some highways with 110 kph posted limits.
- Be particularly careful when driving around schools as lower speed limits are typically posted. They are very strict about speeding in Australia, so be sure you are always driving under the speed limit. In some areas, even driving just a few kph over the speed limit will result in a ticket. Also, traffic cameras are widely used in Australia and any offenses caught on camera will be sent to your rental car company and you will be charged for them.
- When parking, always park on the left-hand side of the road. In Australia, it is illegal to park facing oncoming traffic. Parking limits will often be posted with 2P indicating two-hour parking, 3P indicating three-hour parking, and so on. Parking regulations are strictly enforced in Australia, and you will be fined or have your vehicle towed away if you violate a parking regulation.
- Most rental cars in Australia use unleaded fuel, although some 4WD vehicles do use diesel. Before you fill up, make sure you are using the correct fuel.
- In Australia, gas stations are referred to as petrol stations, but most locals call them “servos”, which is short for “service stations”. Petrol stations can be found along all major highways and typically have toilets available for use as well as snacks and drinks for sale. In remote areas of Australia, gas stations are often referred to as roadhouses and will often have cafes and hotels attached to them.
- Do not rely on your cell phone for navigation when traveling outside major cities as the cell phone service can be spotty, especially in the “Outback” regions of Australia. Most rental car companies will offer a GPS device with rental, and I would suggest using one if you are planning on driving to remote places.